Presentation Summary
The academic research sector, the cornerstone of innovation and knowledge for Australia, faces significant challenges in maintaining robust cybersecurity measures. This session aims to identify and discuss the critical gaps in cybersecurity within the infrastructure that underpins the sector. Despite the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber attacks, is the Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) sector lifting its game to meet the challenges or is there more that we can do?
Key representatives from the sector will frame the concerns and challenges for DRI providers and explore the unique vulnerabilities inherent to the academic research environment, including decentralised infrastructures, open-access policies, and the collaborative nature of research projects.
Additionally, the session will explore the disparity in cybersecurity maturity levels across institutions, the need for specialised training for researchers, and the challenges posed by the integration of diverse and often outdated legacy systems and different geopolitical influences on research.
Through a collaborative discussion, we aim to identify these gaps and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness. By sharing experiences, best practices, and potential solutions, attendees will contribute to strengthening the overall cyber resilience of the academic research community.
Join us in this vital conversation to protect the integrity and future of academic research from the ever-evolving cyber threats.
Meet the Speakers
Ben Chiu
Director, Services, Australian Research Data Commons
Ben is the Director, Services for the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC). He holds strategic responsibility for key ARDC services including the Nectar Research Cloud, and the development and operations of services that support researchers to create and use FAIR data. Ben has over two decades of experience in uplifting digital technology, data infrastructure and cybersecurity postures across public, not-for-profit and private sectors.
Ryan Fraser
Director, Digital Research, AARNet
Ryan is the Director, Digital Research at AARNet. Ryan leads AARNet’s engagement in research and delivery of services and infrastructure to support research activities
Nadia Taggart
Director, Cyber Security Strategic Development, AARNet
Nadia Taggart is an experienced cyber security leader. Before joining AARNet, she served as Chief Information Security Officer at Western Sydney University after leading Cyber Operations for Australian Parliament House, where she established their cyber threat intelligence and insider threat capabilities. She has also held cyber operations and engagement roles in other federal government agencies. Nadia began her career as a teacher before transitioning into cyber security and earning a master’s degree in cyber security operations. Her diverse background greatly influences her approach to cyber security.
Heath Marks
CEO, AAF,
Heath Marks was appointed by the Council of Australian University Directors of Information Technology (CAUDIT) in July 2009 to head a team to deliver the sustainable operations of Australia’s Trust and Identity services for Research and Education. This includes the national trust authentication framework the Australian Access Federation (AAF), and the Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID) Consortium Lead for Australia. He is an IT professional with a wealth of management experience in the successful delivery of transformational Information Technology within the tertiary education and research sector supporting the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS). Heath participates in many national and international committees and working groups on trust, identity, cyber security, and company strategy.
